VP Community Update 11 January

Posted 112 Months Ago

Miranda Matoshi, VP Community

What I have been working on Semester 1...

My name is Miranda and I’m your Vice-President Community. What does this mean? I work full time after having graduated from Heriot-Watt and I’m one of your representatives, specifically for the community on campus. This includes sitting on University Committee Meetings, ensuring decisions which are made by the University are in your best interests. Alongside this, I run Activities (societies, halls, charities), Events and any Campaigns that the Union is spearheading.

• Over the summer, I was heavily involved in the refurbishment of the Geordies bar where we kitted the place out with new sofas, tables, chairs and a HD projector. We wanted to provide you guys with a place of maximum comfort on campus with the offering of food, drink, board games, Sky TV and pool tables. Also, if anyone fancies themselves an artist – we’re always looking for people to draw something cool on the blackboard.
• To kick off the academic year, I had the honour of planning and running the most popular Freshers Week yet! Thanks to the team at the Union and with the help of our wonderful Fresher Helpers, we hope you had a cracking and memorable time.
• I’ve run a variety of events ranging from club nights at Liquid Rooms, Craft Punk (including a pumpkin carving session), a Magic Show and more.
• Hannah and I have been attending various meetings of University Senate, University Court and many more important committees. We have been giving consistent input on the future of SLS, the Prevent strategy and the five year plan for the growth of the campus among other items.
• I have had a crucial role in the new Global Students Liason Committee, which reviews the current processes in place to ensure that student experience is of the highest quality it can be around the world. By strengthening ties between our campuses in Galashiels, Orkey, Dubai and Malaysia, we are wanting to ensure that no matter where you are geographically – that you are getting the most out of your time at University at Heriot-Watt.
• The Volunteer Accreditation Scheme “Watt Volunteers” has been ticking on this academic year, which I have been maintaining and developing over time so that student volunteers at the Union have the opportunity for personal growth and appreciation.
• Sahara and I, went to Westminster recently to lobby our MP about student facing cuts, reminding the Government why it is absolutely imperative that funding should be untouched when it comes to education. It was an incredible experience visiting the House of Commons, to talk about the rising financial issues students are facing and how things have changed in comparison to when they were students themselves.
• The Activities team and I have been planning Semester 2 for a while now, having looked at the upcoming Refreshers Week and Charities week along with a roster of night time events.
• I have put together the first rounds of Workshops (body language 101) for Semester 2, which launch during Refreshers and will steadily be coming to the Anderson Room in the library in the next few weeks.
• Me and a student have been in talks about bringing a potential Dragons Den onto campus to inspire you to think innovatively and spark some entrepreneurial spirit!